Florida State vs. Nova

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL with Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida State University is larger than Nova based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 20,910 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Nova Southeastern University is in Fort Lauderdale, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nova Southeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida State University 17:1; Nova Southeastern University 16:1.

Florida State vs. Nova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State or Nova? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida State University than Nova ($15,815 vs. $31,858).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida State University are 20% lower than at Nova Southeastern University ($13,474 vs. $16,840).
• Nova Southeastern University is 584.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $33,044 more per year; $38,700.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106% higher at Nova than at Florida State University (about $19,914 more per year; $38,700.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nova Southeastern University than at Florida State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nova Southeastern University students is 169% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($24,965 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. Nova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida State or Nova? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Nova and Florida State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 170 points higher than at Nova (1170).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Nova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; Nova Southeastern University 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; Nova Southeastern University 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; Nova - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nova students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Florida State (3.7).
• Nova has a higher acceptance rate (73.2%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 15.6% at Nova.

Florida State vs. Nova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State and Nova? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Nova Southeastern University's (43%).
• Graduates from Nova Southeastern University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $4,350 lower median loan debt than Nova graduates ($20,750 vs. $25,100).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nova graduates ($214 vs. $259).
• More Florida State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nova students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.